Raleigh Interviews
Addie Morales of North Carolina Theatre's WEST SIDE STORY
by Jeffrey Kare - October 10, 2019, Raleigh I've recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actress Addie Morales, who is currently in rehearsals for North Carolina Theatre's upcoming production of West Side Story, where she'll be starring in the coveted role of Maria. Addie has previously played the role numerous times regionally at the... (more...) 
Korie Lee Blossey of ALADDIN National Tour
by Jeffrey Kare - September 26, 2019, Raleigh I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actor Korie Lee Blossey, who at the time of our conversation was getting ready to start performances as the Genie in the national tour of Disney's Aladdin in Charlotte, North Carolina. He made his national tour debut as a standby for the role about t... (more...) 
Erin Sullivan of Temple Theatre's WITH LOVE, MARILYN
by Jeffrey Kare - August 27, 2019, Raleigh ... (more...) 
Lewis J. Stadlen of HELLO, DOLLY! National Tour
by Jeffrey Kare - May 20, 2019, Raleigh Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center from May 21st-26th is the national tour of Broadway's classic musical comedy, HELLO, DOLLY! starring the legendary Tony Award winner Betty Buckley. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actor Lewis J. Stadlen, who stars opposite Betty as the we... (more...) 
BEAUTIFUL's Danielle Summons Reflects on Family, Carol King, and Coming Home
by Lauren Van Hemert - May 05, 2019, Raleigh When BEAUTIFUL opens at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) Tuesday, it will be a homecoming for Danielle Summons. That's because Summons, who plays one of The Shirrelles, as well as Janelle Woods in the show, is from Raleigh. And for Summons, returning to the DPAC stage, is a dream come true.... (more...) 
Eric Woodall of North Carolina Theatre
by Jeffrey Kare - April 25, 2019, Raleigh Eric Woodall has a long history with North Carolina Theatre; as an actor, teacher, and director. As a high school student, he performed in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and GEORGE M! at NC Theatre. After successful years on stage and television, Eric returned to NC Theatre in the late 90's to direct and he... (more...) 
Jason Robert Brown Reflects on His Music, Working with Lauren Kennedy, and More in Advance of Theatre Raleigh's Upcoming Concert
by Lauren Van Hemert - April 22, 2019, Raleigh Jason Robert Brown has been hailed as one of Broadway's smartest and most sophisticated songwriters. In fact, The Chicago Tribune referred to his work as 'extraordinary, jubilant theater music.' But Brown, who wrote the book and score for THE LAST FIVE YEARS and the music and lyrics for the stage... (more...) 
Jeffrey Kringer Talks CRUEL INTENTIONS in Advance of DPAC Show
by Lauren Van Hemert - April 22, 2019, Raleigh 'It's just been the most exciting whirlwind of a ride to get to do this,' says Jeffrey Kringer. And it has been a whirlwind for Kringer who just graduated from Fredonia State University last May. Kringer is playing the role of anti-hero Sebastian Valmont in the musical CRUEL INTENTIONS. It's his ... (more...) 
Joy Franz of ANASTASIA National Tour
by Jeffrey Kare - April 08, 2019, Raleigh Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center from April 16th-21st is the national touring production of ANASTASIA. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actress Joy Franz, who is currently appearing in it as the Dowager Empress. A role that in the 1997 animated film was voiced by Angela L... (more...) 
Izzy Figueroa Reflects on THE LIGHTNING THIEF, Being a Role Model, and More
by Lauren Van Hemert - April 06, 2019, Raleigh The Lightning Thief musical, based on Rick Riordan's book, has been called a cross between Harry Potter and Dear Evan Hansen, which may be one of the reasons why legions of fans are flocking to see the show as it makes away across the country. Initially developed as a one-hour musical in 2014 by ... (more...) 
ROCK OF AGES' Katie LaMark was Born Ready to Rock
by Lauren Van Hemert - February 20, 2019, Raleigh You could say that Katie LaMark has been ready to rock from the time she was a little girl. That's because she is a self-described 'studio kid' whose parents were both musicians. 'My mother is really the rocker of the two of them and my father is a much more disciplined, jazz piano player,' she s... (more...) 
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY'S James Young Talks about Grandpa Joe and the Importance of Theater for Young People
by Lauren Van Hemert - February 07, 2019, Raleigh James Young has been singing and dancing in Broadway shows for over 40 years. These days, he spends his time playing Grandpa Joe in the national tour of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. The show plays the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) next week. Hear what Young has to say about the producti... (more...) 
Mary Mattison of North Carolina Theatre's MAMMA MIA!
by Jeffrey Kare - February 05, 2019, Raleigh ... (more...) 
MISS SAIGON'S Red Concepción Says this Grittier Version of the Show is Resonating with American Audiences
by Lauren Van Hemert - January 18, 2019, Raleigh Red Concepcion grew up listening to show tunes. In fact, he remembers listening to cast albums like MISS SAIGON from the age of five. Fast forward 20 plus years and Concepcion found himself playing the role of The Engineer on the UK tour. He says although he knew the music by heart, he had no ide... (more...) 
North Carolina Theatre's New Producing Artistic Director Eric Woodall Talks Diversity in Casting, North Carolina Roots, and MAMMA MIA!
by Lauren Van Hemert - January 11, 2019, Raleigh After 16 years with Tara Rubin Casting, Eric Woodall has come home. Born and raised in Benson, North Carolina, Woodall is the new Producing Artistic Director of North Carolina Theatre. He is also overseeing the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory, a program which is near and dear to his heart. Hear ... (more...) 
BWW TV: David Ferguson of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF National Tour
by Jeffrey Kare - January 06, 2019, Raleigh Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center from January 8th-13th is the current national touring production of Fiddler on the Roof. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing dance captain (and North Carolina native) David Ferguson.... (more...) 
Estes Tarver Talks Movies, TV, and Moonlight
by Lauren Van Hemert - December 14, 2018, Raleigh You may know him as Tom Tilden from the CBS Sci-FI Show 'Under the Dome' or the Duke Energy guy or even as Chad Thompson in his award-winning movie 'Changeover.' But Estes Tarver is more than an actor, writer, director, and producer. He's also the Artistic Director of Moonlight Stage Company in Nort... (more...) 
Yolanda Rabun Opens Up About Upcoming Theatre Raleigh Christmas Concert, Paying Tribute to Nina Simone, and Living Life on Purpose
by Lauren Van Hemert - November 30, 2018, Raleigh Raleigh audiences last saw national recording artist Yolanda Rabun play Medda Larkin in the North Carolina Theatre production of NEWSIES last summer. In fact, she has been nominated for a Broadway World Raleigh Award for that performance. On December 12th, she returns to the Raleigh stage to perform... (more...) 
Eric Williams' Inner ELF Can't Wait to Share Buddy's Tale of Optimism and Perseverance with DPAC Audiences
by Lauren Van Hemert - November 28, 2018, Raleigh Eric Williams grew up watching Christmas movies with his family in St. Louis. In fact, he says it was his family who instilled in him a passion and excitement for the holiday movie genre. And while he likes some of the more traditional classic films, the more recent ones that put a contemporary spin... (more...) 
Raleigh Native Beth Leavel Opens Up About Finding Her Life Path, Channeling Her Evil Twin, and Building THE PROM
by Lauren Van Hemert - November 26, 2018, Raleigh It was the kiss seen around the world when the cast of THE PROM took center stage at The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They performed their finale number, at the end of which the two actresses who play the lesbian couple at the center of the show kissed. It was a first for the parade and a moment ... (more...) 
Producer Kris Lythgoe Brushes Up on His Southern Colloquialisms for ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH
by Lauren Van Hemert - November 17, 2018, Raleigh Although the Lythgoe family is best known for producing reality television shows like 'So You Think You Can Dance' and 'American Idol,' live theater is in their blood. 'It's more part of my DNA,' says Kris Lythgoe. 'I really grew up surrounded by the tradition and frankly know nothing else.' L... (more...) 
Theatre in the Park's Ira David Wood III Opens Up About Family, His Legacy, Christmas, and Scrooge
by Lauren Van Hemert - November 16, 2018, Raleigh BWW Interview: Theatre in the Park's Ira David Wood III Opens Up About Family, His Legacy, Christmas, and Scrooge... (more...) 
Mike McGee And Lauren Knott of Raleigh Little Theatre's CINDERELLA Talk Holiday Tradition and the Importance of Family Productions
by Lauren Van Hemert - November 11, 2018, Raleigh Later this month, the Raleigh Little Theatre production of CINDERELLA will take the stage for the 35th time. This time, Mike McGee directs and Lauren Knott returns to the title role. Hear what the pair had to say about the changes to this year's production, carrying on a beloved holiday tradition, a... (more...) 
Jason Gotay Talks ALADDIN AND HIS WINTER WISH, Panto Tradition, and Returning to the North Carolina Theatre Stage
by Lauren Van Hemert - November 05, 2018, Raleigh Look at him, he's the 'King of New York! ' North Carolina Theatre audiences may remember New York actor Jason Gotay as Jack Kelly in the North Carolina Theatre production of NEWSIES last summer. Last month, he opened in the off-Broadway world premiere of RENASCENCE at The Transport Theatre Gr... (more...) 
Elon Alum Tanner Ray Wilson is 'Head Over Heels' to be Part of Groundbreaking Show
by Lauren Van Hemert - November 03, 2018, Raleigh For HEAD OVER HEELS' Tanner Ray Wilson, performing on a Broadway stage eight times a week is a far cry from his hometown of Jonesboro, Arkansas. 'My dad is a football coach and a basketball coach and a hunter, like outdoorsman extraordinaire,' he says. 'And he was cool enough for some reason to l... (more...) 
THE CHOIR OF MAN'S Denis Grindel Raises a Glass to Ireland, Friendship, and Manhood in Advance of DPAC Show
by Lauren Van Hemert - October 25, 2018, Raleigh Denis Grindel says he's always been a performer. After all, he's Irish. It's in his blood. 'I love telling stories,' says Grindel. 'It's a big part of my culture.' 'You grow up hearing stories and legends and song, it's a big part of what being Irish is,' he adds. 'So, it was a natural for me... (more...) 
Fraser Walters Talks About Bringing THE TENORS' A-Game to Durham for Carolina Theatre Concert
by Lauren Van Hemert - October 23, 2018, Raleigh Fresh off their fourth PBS special which aired in August, the multi-platinum group The Tenors kicked off their Fan Favorites Tour two weeks ago in Canada. This week, they bring their eclectic mix of classical and contemporary music to The Carolina Theatre in Durham. 'There are so many voices ext... (more...) 
Penn Holderness Talks Viral Videos, New Musical in the Making, and Theatre Raleigh's ROCKY HORROR SHOW
by Lauren Van Hemert - October 20, 2018, Raleigh After 18 years in the news business, Penn Holderness took a leap of faith and jumped into starting his own video production company. As a natural born storyteller, he wanted to tell stories that were not only interesting but relatable. So in 2013, he and his family posted their 'Xmas Jammies' video... (more...) 
Genny Lis Padilla & David Guzman of North Carolina Theatre's IN THE HEIGHTS
by Jeffrey Kare - October 12, 2018, Raleigh From October 16th-21st, North Carolina Theatre will be opening their 2018-19 season with a production of Lin-Manuel Miranda & Quiara Alegria Hudes' 2008 award-winning musical, In the Heights, at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. I was recently able to get in touch with two of the cast members, Genny ... (more...) 
Temple Theatre's Cast and Director of GHOST Talk Love, Character Relationships, and the Challenges of Bringing a Beloved Movie to the Stage
by Lauren Van Hemert - October 11, 2018, Raleigh The movie 'Ghost' opened in the summer of 1990. Twenty years later, it inspired a Broadway musical. While the movie was the highest grossing film of 1990, the Broadway version, which featured a large cast and a multitude of special effects, did not share the same box office success. 'On the Broad... (more...) 
Dave Toole And Morgan Parpan of Theatre Raleigh's ONCE Talk About Dialects, Making Music, and What's Next
by Lauren Van Hemert - August 31, 2018, Raleigh Theatre Raleigh closes its Summer Season with the Tony Award-winning musical ONCE. Based on the 2007 film of the same name, ONCE tells the story of a Guy and a Girl who are brought together through their love of music. Dave Toole and Morgan Parpan play Guy and Girl in this production and sat down... (more...) 
From Dancing Queen to Opera Diva, Judy McLane Opens Up About MAMMA MIA, Maria Callas, and Theatre Raleigh's MASTER CLASS
by Lauren Van Hemert - August 05, 2018, Raleigh This week, Judy McLane steps into Maria Callas' shoes for the opening of the Theatre Raleigh production 'Master Class.' 'Master Class' is about opera singer Maria Callas as she teaches a fictional master class at Julliard towards the end of her life. Written by Terrence McNally, the play opened ... (more...) 
'New York Times' Bestselling Author Kate Moore Talks 'The Radium Girls,' THESE SHINING LIVES, and Radioactive Legacy
by Lauren Van Hemert - July 26, 2018, Raleigh It is hard to believe that decades before Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania or the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine, there were thousands of young women, many of them teenagers, who were exposed to radium in dial factories in the United States and around the world. Many of these women suffered... (more...) 
Ramin Karimloo Reflects on The Avett Brothers, His Friendship with Joe Kwon, and Working with Andrew Lloyd Webber in Advance of His Raleigh Benefit Concert
by Lauren Van Hemert - July 24, 2018, Raleigh t might surprise theater fans that Tony-nominated Ramin Karimloo's playlist includes an eclectic mix of Colm Wilkinson, the alt-rock band The Tragically Hip, and North Carolina's own, The Avett Brothers. But Karimloo says for him there is a common thread that ties his favorite genres of music altoge... (more...) 
BWW TV: Choreographer Parker Esse on North Carolina Theatre's NEWSIES
by Jeffrey Kare - July 23, 2018, Raleigh ... (more...) 
Women's Theatre Festival's ECLIPSED Director Michele Okoh Looks Forward to Durham Regional Premiere
by Lauren Van Hemert - July 18, 2018, Raleigh Before Danai Gurira exploded on the big screen earlier this year as Okoye in the movie BLACK PANTHER, she made history with her play ECLIPSED. The play opened on Broadway in 2016, marking the first time a Broadway play featured an all-female, all-black cast, director, and playwright. ECLIPSED will m... (more...) 
Women's Theatre Festival Artistic Director Ashley Popio Combines Art Forms to Elevate GOBLIN MARKET
by Lauren Van Hemert - July 11, 2018, Raleigh Christina Rosetti's poem 'The Goblin Market,' explores the themes of temptation, sacrifice, and the loss of innocence and has been the subject of varied interpretations and creative adaptations ever since its publication in 1862. One such adaptation is a musical version by Polly Pen and Peggy Har... (more...) 
Dustin Britt, Heather Strickland, and Havana Blum Share Immersive SEED ART SHARE'S THE MIRACLE WORKER
by Lauren Van Hemert - July 10, 2018, Raleigh In the past, immersive theater productions were something seen in bigger cities. But now, Seed Art Share has brought immersive 'shared art' experiences to the Triangle. Next month, the company is presenting William Gibson's classic play THE MIRACLE WORKER at The Borden House in Fletcher Park. I had ... (more...) 
THE BOOK OF MORMON'S Kayla Pecchioni Talks About Playing the Straight Man Amidst Outrageous Comedy in Advance of DPAC Show
by Lauren Van Hemert - July 09, 2018, Raleigh When Kayla Pecchioni first saw Tony Award-winning THE BOOK OF MORMON about six years ago, she didn't quite get it. 'It's so funny when I saw the show I actually could not grasp the message,' she says. 'I was so overwhelmed by how in your face it was, I was like, 'what is this show, what is going ... (more...) 
Triangle Rising Star Winner Mya Ison Reflects on Her JIMMY AWARDS Experience
by Lauren Van Hemert - July 08, 2018, Raleigh Mya Ison is still beaming after spending a week in New York for The Jimmy Awards, the National High School Musical Theatre Awards that celebrate the best in high school musical talent. Ison's journey to The Jimmy Awards started at The Durham Performing Arts Center last May when she and Sterling Jone... (more...) |
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